Beekeeping in Florida is governed by the state, not by Manatee County. The FDACS registers all colonies and sets rules under FS Chapter 586; Florida's Right to Farm Act (FS 823.14) preempts local bans on registered beekeeping.
Manatee County's animal ordinance (Ch. 2-4) does not regulate honeybees. Beekeeping is controlled at the state level: FS Chapter 586 (the Florida Bee Law) requires every beekeeper to register all colonies with the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) and to follow state best management practices. Because managed honeybees are an agricultural apiculture activity, FS 823.14 (the Right to Farm Act) limits how far a local government may restrict registered beekeeping. On residential parcels you should register colonies with FDACS, follow the state BMPs for maintaining honey bee colonies, and check any Land Development Code or HOA siting rules. The county sets no separate hive-count or setback ordinance.
Enforcement is by FDACS under FS Ch. 586; unregistered colonies may be subject to inspection, quarantine, or destruction orders by the state apiary inspection program.
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